Otter Street Pocket Park
Otter Street Pocket Park
Set against the energetic backdrop of Smith Street, Otter St. Pocket Park was developed upon several key thematic responses to site and context, namely: topography, respite/gathering, urban nature, and art.

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About

Otter Street pocket park is the realisation of a much-needed green space for the Collingwood community.  Occupying the now discontinued western section of Otter Street and intersecting with bustling Smith Street, the pocket park provides valuable respite and connection in a highly urbanised setting.

TCL developed the design in collaboration with Indigenous artist Reko Rennie, whose signature geometric pattern formed an integrated ground plane, symbolising a connection to Country and Indigenous identity inherent in the land. This is articulated in the text inlayed into the terraced edges through consultation with the Wurundjeri.

Site constraints such as topography were a key consideration driving the landform, taking advantage of key views. The design features a series of three organic, curved grassed terraces that follow the natural slope of the site, offering an informal seating edge to as well as face to face connection with integrated timber seating. The black and white bark of the Lemon Scented Gum and Iron bark trees link with the bold, black and white theming of the ground plane and support a generous native canopy.

The Otter Street pocket park is now a vibrant space to relax, gather and connect.

Details
Client Name
City of Yarra
Location
Collingwood, VIC
Year
2021
Indigenous Artist
Reko Rennie
Photography
Ari Hatzis, Drone images by Evergreen Civil
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TCL acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — the traditional custodians of the land on which we work. We respect their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture and recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.